Being brought up in Lewes, one night of the year stands above all others in the social calendar. Bonfire Night - firework displays, wild costumes, bangers going off under your feet, marching bands and typically plenty of good drink.

Whether it's a warming winter red to have with your bangers and mash before heading to the parades or a little whiskey for your hip flask in front of the fireworks, we've got you covered with the best drinks for Bonfire!

Celler Alimara Llumi Negre 2019 - £13.49

With a name meaning 'light' in Catalan, this hearty and generous red is certain to be the perfect match for a firework display! From the high-altitude Terra Alta region, this oak-aged red blend has ripe black plum and berry fruit, a hint of spice and a full, soft body. 

The Whole Shebang Cuvee XIV NV - £25.25

Made as a way to introduce California's old-vine heritage wines at a reasonable price point, The Whole Shebang is a non-vintage cuvee that changes year-on-year using parcels from across the state.

Winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson MW is dedicated to preserving the 100+ year old Zinfandel and mixed planted vineyards unique to California and the fruit that doesn't get used in his (delicious but rather expensive) single vineyard wines gets used in the Shebang blend.

Complexity and concentration are on show, with perfumed red fruit, cinnamon and nutmeg spice and superb freshness in the finish. A real (She)banger!
 

Mellow Corn Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey, Heaven Hill Distillery - £32.95

November 5th is rarely a warm night (my memories of Bonfires past usually involve rain) so a nice dram of smooth, buttery corn whiskey goes down a treat.

Unlike a Bourbon this is aged in once-used barrels rather than new, so is a little lighter and more subtle, with delicate sweetness and spice notes. Truly nectar of the barrel, and not the kind of barrel filled with burning pitch in the parades.
 

Ardnamurchan AD/02.22 Cask Strength Highland Single Malt - £71

If you want to bring the smokiness of bonfire into your home, a powerful peated single malt is one of the best ways. A cask strength (58.7%) release from largely Bourbon barrels and peated spirit, the AD/02.22 is intensely aromatic with woodsmoke, black pepper and salted toffee on the nose.

The higher strength brings great weight to the palate which is in turns sweet and savoury and remarkably fresh on the finish. A supremely special malt from one of Scotland's most exciting distilleries.